Guidebook for Pasadena
Food Scene
Reyn
635 N Lake AveCheap and filling breakfast
Cabrera's Mexican Restaurant
655 N Lake AveFree appetizers during happy hour
Polkatots Cupcakes
720 N Lake AveCupcakes!
Tonny's Restaurant
843 E Orange Grove BlvdReally good Mexican
U Pick Cafe
720 N Lake AveMediterranean fast casual food
Famous for their...chicken and waffles! Avoid on a weekend morning
33 locals recommend
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles - Pasadena
830 N Lake AveFamous for their...chicken and waffles! Avoid on a weekend morning
Kathleen's Restaurant
595 N Lake AveLocal American restaurant
The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake AveFancy pants hot dogs and burgers
El Taquito Mexicano
490 N Lake AveCheap Mexican hole in the wall
The Hat
491 N Lake AveFamous for their pastrami sandwiches and other greasy spoon items
Daisy Mint
1218 E Colorado BlvdPopular Asian fusion restaurant
Maison Akira
713 E Green StSpendy Japanese French restaurant
One of our faves-- mediterranean restaurant with a beautiful balcony
28 locals recommend
Cafe Santorini
64 W Union StOne of our faves-- mediterranean restaurant with a beautiful balcony
Mi Piace
25 E Colorado BlvdPopular Italian restaurant with sidewalk tables
Roy's Restaurant
641 E Colorado BlvdUpscale Hawaiian food
Abricott
238 South Lake AvenueAsian fusion and affordable
Malbec Argentinean Cuisine
1001 E Green StSteak is awesome here
Marston's Restaurant
151 E Walnut StPopular brunch place in a cute bungalow house
One of our faves. Fresh and local salads, sandwiches, and hot plates.
432 locals recommend
Tender Greens
6290 Sunset BlvdOne of our faves. Fresh and local salads, sandwiches, and hot plates.
Blaze Pizza
667 E Colorado BlvdDIY Pizza for $7
Islands Restaurant Pasadena Paseo Colorado
300 E Colorado BlvdAnd bar, too.
Nine & Nine Thai Kitchen
738 E Colorado BlvdOur local Thai place that delivers
Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
110 Union StAfghani food
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdCalifornian food
Mediterranean Cafe
273 Shoppers LnOur favorite hole in the wall
Noodle World
700 Valley BlvdCheap Asian food
The Counter
5779 Wilshire BlvdDesign your own burger
Ruth's Chris Steak House
369 E Colorado Blvd$$$$
King Taco
45 N Arroyo PkwyReally good and cheap Mexican food that we will drive out for
Coolhaus
59 E Colorado BlvdArtsy ice cream sandwiches
Copa Vida
70 S Raymond AveOur favorite coffee shop
Zona Rosa Caffe
Good coffee with weekly live music
Souplantation
2131 W Commonwealth AveOur daughter's favorite restaurant. Soup, salad, and pasta buffet.
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StInsanely popular restaurant and coffeeshop
La Estrella Restaurant
320 Orange Grove BlvdGood mexican
Everything Else
Walgreens
670 N Lake AveLarge drugstore
Fuller Theological Seminary
135 N Oakland AveJust a short walk away
Lake Avenue Church
393 N Lake AveIf you go to church, a close one we recommend
The Pie Hole
714 Traction AveArtsy pie shop
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove DrWe've hosted guests from here
California Institute of Technology
1200 E California BlvdWe've hosted guests from here
Pasadena City College
1570 E Colorado BlvdWe've hosted guests from here
24 Hour Fitness Sport
525 E Colorado Blvdhas a pool and jacuzzi
Essentials
CVS Pharmacy
777 E Colorado BlvdEverything you need is at Target. Groceries, too.
Ralphs
160 N Lake AveLarge supermarket with a Starbucks inside
Trader Joe's
345 S Lake AveWhere we do most of our grocery shopping
Drinks & Nightlife
Yard House
13455 Maxella AveGreat happy hour. The place to watch sporting events
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
6000 Sepulveda BlvdPizza, beer, and everything in between
Umami Burger
49 E Colorado BlvdBurger craze
Kings Row Gastropub
20 E Colorado BlvdOur fave gastropub in the city
Insane hot dogs and burgers served on hawaiian rolls
14 locals recommend
Dog Haus Biergarten Old Pasadena
93 E Green StInsane hot dogs and burgers served on hawaiian rolls
redwhite+bluezz
Jazz bar and restaurant
Arts & Culture
The Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino AvePopular theater
Largest independent bookstore in Southern California. Lots of great talks and book signings
65 locals recommend
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E Colorado BlvdLargest independent bookstore in Southern California. Lots of great talks and book signings
Laemmle's Playhouse 7
673 E Colorado BlvdArt house movie theater
Regency Academy Cinemas
1003 E Colorado Blvd$3 movies!
ArcLight Cinemas - Pasadena
300 E Colorado BlvdMovie theater with current listings
Entertainment & Activities
Kidspace Children's Museum
480 N Arroyo BlvdGreat kids museum
Baby Polka Dot
Indoor playground
Brookside Park
360 N Arroyo BlvdHas a pirate-themed playground!
Sightseeing
Pacific Asia Museum
46 N Los Robles AveAsian museum
The Gamble House
4 Westmoreland PlArchitecture
Bungalow Heaven
Architecture
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdGREAT art museum
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdGorgeous gardens
Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA)
490 Union Stlocal art
City of Pasadena City Hall
300 S Raymond Avebeautiful architecture